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Workflow: Giving Digital Images to Clients

I posted this in another forum, but no responses, so I thought I'd try here.

What is your process for saving images for print?

I have a new computer where I am having to click on "Convert to profilfe..RGB-sRGB" before posting on the web. Otherwise, the image quality is awful. However, I'm wondering what I need to do to save these images for print.

On my old computer everything was set and I just saved the image as a JPeg. How should I save the digital files so a client can print their images from any company?

Responses

What image software are you using? The age of your computer has nothing to do with your workflow for outputting digital files for printing.

However, in general you would want to save as a jpeg at 300 dpi for printing. Outputting for the web usually gives you a 72 dpi file; not so great for printing. Whether you size to specific print dimensions depends on what you agreed to provide your clients. For example, if providing a file for a 4x6 print, you would size the jpeg to 1800 pixels on the long side at 300 dpi.

Give it too them in sRGB color space and jpeg format as that is what photo printers use.
Give them one full size file of each image and let them or their printer resize for required output. Use the least compression or greatest quality your program will allow.

Save your edited files as PSD's with layer info intact. That way you can make changes later without starting from scratch.

Make a batch action to save your PSD files as hi-res JPGS for the client - suggest you include 'convert to 8 bit', 'save as JPG', 'include ICC profile'.

Make a similar batch action to save your PSD files as lo-res versions - use 'image resize', 'save for web' with 'include ICC profile' checked.

BTW - I'm assuming you know how to record and run batch actions. But if you don't, then you're probably ill-prepared for doing any kind of post-processing in Photoshop. There is too much effort if you do everything manually. If you need help get a book on Photoshop and read it before going any further.

I am guessing your new computer is set to adobeRGB 1998 or something. If you work in sRGB and don't need the extra headroom of color gamut (range), then switching your cameras, computer (photoshop/LR2/software), and anything else you edit with to sRGB will work well.

The web is typically seen in sRGB, so an adobeRGB color space shows up flat and with shifted colors. I learned that about 5 years ago on this very forum.